In a letter to Bloomfield Hills Schools officials dated Feb. 26, representatives from the Oakland County branch of the American Civil Liberties Union noted a violation of the Establishment Clause and Religious Freedom Clause of the First Amendment, adding that faculty- or student-led prayer events could alienate or ostracize those who do not share the same beliefs.

Readers of The Oakland Press responded to the news, citing arguments for and against the ACLU's complaint and the school district's actions.

"The school is not a religious institution," said Facebook user Bill Meabrod, "and regardless of if it's student-led or teacher-led, it's still alienating players and fans who are not religious or (who) follow a different god. And there is simply no need to do that. You certainly don't get brownie points from God."

Website commenter "brutusmuktuk" echoed the primary concern held by the ACLU and its attorneys.

"The problem here isn't that the students are praying, but that the head coach is present during the prayer," the comment read. "This is akin to him endorsing Christianity as the team's official religion, which is unconstitutional because it makes those with different religious beliefs feel alienated. When a coach endorses a specific religion, you get problems like what happened at Oakland University with the women's basketball team."

Roxanne Vallad said, "I agree with the ban 100 percent. Bloomfield is a township with a many religions represented -- Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Not to mention people without religion.

"How uncomfortable would this make a teen who doesn't want to alienate their friends but doesn't believe in what the other students are praying about?"

Some respondents believe the move is another step in taking religion out of the lives of children.

"It's a sad thing when we are forbidding our children to pray at any time or place, especially in school where they are growing and learning and developing who they will be," said web commenter Shelly Hastings. "I am not saying that religion should be taught in school or forced upon our children. ... But do we not live in a country that says "IN GOD WE TRUST" on all of our currency?"

"If a player does not want to pray, walk away," said Michael Lee in a letter in response to the original article. "Why should the coach and the rest of the team stop praying after a game? We need to stand up to these people!"

Facebook user Nina Irwin said, "This is a bunch of bologna. If students choose to gather in prayer, it is a violation of their rights to prevent them. What is up with this dictatorship?"

Kathy Banta said, "The people behind this are working for the devil. The closer you get to God, the anger of the devil appears. God Bless the students."

"It's a shame that the ACLU allows these issues that are not inflicting any harm on others to take up time that probably could be used on things that are really important in life," said reader Vicki Naubert in a letter to the editor. "Maybe the students should have a say."